Iran's FIFA World Cup squad and players to watch

Although Iran are among one of the more successful teams in Asia, with three Asian Cup titles to their name (in 1968, 1972, and 1976), they have not experienced the same levels of success on the bigger world stage. To date, Team Melli have qualified for four prior World Cups and have never cleared the group stage. In fact, their only World Cup win was a 2-1 victory over the United States in 1998, which given the tense relationship between the two countries, was something that was celebrated widely in Tehran and many cities around Iran 20 years ago - and is still probably remembered fondly today.

However, since then, Iran have featured at two other World Cups (in 2006 and 2014) and only experienced disappointment. Will this be the year for them to finally end decades of frustration?

Coach's mission

Carlos Queiroz will face an obvious tough task to even get out of their quartet. This will be their fifth World Cup and unfortunately, Iran have been placed in a very difficult group, alongside Morocco as well as European heavyweights Spain and Portugal. The latter duo obviously are expected to qualify for the next round and Morocco will hope to at least head home with something in hand, so truly, Team Melli's task will be a very difficult one ahead, to say the least. That being said, football is an unpredictable thing and Iran are coming into this tournament without any pressure on them, so they certainly could stage an upset.

New recruits

Amir Abedzadeh and Majid Hosseini are among the newer faces called up to the 24-man provisional squad. Older Iranian football fans will be familiar with the name Abedzadeh as his father Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh was the skipper of the national team at the 1998 World Cup.

Experienced faces

With the absence of 36-year-old Jalal Hosseini, this team has a much younger feel overall. The oldest player so far is 34-year-old Pejman Montazeri, who has earned 46 caps. Other more experienced players include Masoud Shojaei, Ehsan Hajsafi, and Karim Ansarifard, and they will be heavily relying on 23-year-old Sardar Azmoun, who has scored 23 goals in just 31 appearances to help them navigate through a very tough challenge ahead this summer.

Notable omissions

Defenders Jalal Hosseini and Vouria Ghafouri didn't make the cut. Hosseini plays his club football for domestic champs Persepolis whilst Ghafouri features for Esteghal.